Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1934 Let's Get Acquainted! HARRY FRIED Little did the Main Line know, on March 13th, 1390, that one of its future leading citizens and business men was then being born in far off Russia. Harry Fried left the old country at the age of 16 and came to Brooklyn, of all places, where he continued his education and earned his living at the same time. While still a youth he moved to Philadelphia and entered the clothing manufacturing field. In 1920 he became interested, but not actively, in his first theatre ventures — the Opera House, Mauch Chunk, and the Lyric, Summit Hill. In 1927 Harry built the beautiful Seville Theatre in Bryn Mawr, and one year later he constructed the Anthony Wayne. Married in 1909, he is daddy to six young Frieds. He is a director of the Main Line Kiwanis. Because he felt keenly the failure of the M. P. T. O. to aid their members, he left that organization and became active in the new Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association, of which he is now a member of the Board of Managers. << The show must go on/,) — and it takes reliable delivery service to get it there on time ... HORLACHER DELIVERY SERVICE 1228 VINE ST. PHILA. Beriiharcl Says Raise: Warner Houses Lower Admission Priees On the heels of a statement by Joe Bernhard that Warner Theatres are ready to boost admission prices if independent competitors will do likewise, three large Warner houses in Philadelphia last week introduced an '"early bird" matinee at only 15 cents admission. The houses are the State, the Circle and the 69th Street. The reason offered by the circuit for this bargain price cut is the failure of the Skouras Theatres in the same localities to eliminate their '"early bird" matinees. The cut by Warners presents a problem for those competing independent exhibitors who are maintaining a reasonable price level. Independents in the territory hope that Warners and Skouras Bros, adjust their differences on this point without delay and that both will stop the bargain prices. It is not improbable that a general price war will result if this truce is not effected soon. Buy from Film Bulletin Advertisers • CLEM'S • Motion Picture Supply House Expert Supply Service jor the Independent Theatre 255 N. 13th ST., PHILA. SPRUCE 1884 We have proven our right to your confidence NEW JERSEY MESSENGER SERVICE 250 N. JUNIPER ST. PHILA. Exhibitors Ignore Ascap Applications Theatre owners in this territory are receiving applications for licenses under the new rate schedule from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Independent exhibitors are being advised by the IEPA not to return the applications pending the outcome of actions being taken against ASCAP by the Federal Government and exhibitor organizations. The new schedule increases the yearly rate 100 percent for a 500 seat theatre with a top admission price of 20 cents. A 2000 seat house charging top price of 35 cents finds its rate approximately tripled. These basic rates apply to theatres showing twenty or more performances weekly. For each performance less than 20 per week the rate decreases 5 percent from the basis rate, which is the amount equal to one filled capacity house at the highest prices charged for seats at any performance. Thus, houses having only one matinee performance and two evening performances daily, a total of 18 for a six-day week, are to be charged 90 percent of the basic rate. An official of the IEPA stated today that his organization was instructing independent exhibitors to "sit tight" until further notice. The feeling is that ASCAP cannot lick the 18,000 theatres in the country and that they will back down when this matter comes to a showdown. Last Friday, Walter Vincent, one of the members of the exhibitor Emergency Committee which is battling ASCAP, stated that he was satisfied with the government's handling of the case against the music society. This seems to imply that the Committee will defer action, preferring to await the outcome of the Government's ant i -trust suit. DON'T BE FOOLED BY EXAGGERATED CLAIMS! When a Printer claims to have "huge presses, modern equipment and good workmanship," it should be backed up by concrete evidence. WE invite you to inspect our plant and workmanship because we know you will be convinced that OURS is the FINEST THEATRICAL PRINT SHOP IN THE EAST! Remember: IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS IT'S QUALITY THAT COUNTS . . . QUALITY PRINT 1208 VINE STREET SHOP PHILADELPHIA, PA.